Is the coil over or under on the coil-overs?

[olda4guy]

Hi all - my first post. The rear-end build video shows the spring coils on the top end of the shock as viewed on the chassis, while the manual I received shows the coils on the bottom on both the front and rear suspensions. Which way is recommended? Also, I'm using the 11.65" disk "Performance" brakes in the rear, and had to make shims for the caliper brackets to be perfectly centered on the rotors. Is this a common problem?

Pix are attached of both front & rear suspensions in my build.IMG_0947b.jpgIMG_0951b.jpgIMG_0969b.jpgIMG_0971b.jpg

Thanks in advance

Jim

[Jester]

At the build school, they had the front springs on the bottom and rear springs on the top (they mentioned that it does not matter which way the coils spring is located - up or down).

On my build I have both front and back coils toward the bottom as you have installed (if found better clearance in that position)
Front Coil Springs - Build School.jpgRear Coilovers - Build School.jpg

My Build - Rear CoilOvers.jpgMy Mk4 - Front CoilOvers.jpg

[rich grsc]

The shocks don't care how they are mounted, but body up would be preferred.

[christenfreedman]

I have my rears mounted with coils up..I however have a narrowed rear axle and needed additional clearance for the rear brakes...otherwise I would mount body up...

[NukeMMC]

With your rear calipers on the front side of your rotors, you took out any clearance issues with the coilovers.
Did you check your rebound adjustments on the shocks?

[CraigS]

Body up is preferred because that way, as the car goes over bumps, you have just the shock rod moving (and a portion of the spring). W/ the body down the entire weight of the shock is moving.

[olda4guy]

Thanks Craig, that makes perfect sense. Do you have any input re my question about needing to shim the brake caliper brackets so the calipers are centered on the disks?

[VdubJoe]

I mounted mine body up for clearance reasons. Either wa is fine . I don't believe the little bit of difference in unsprung weight is going to be noticeable to you. I also had to shim the calipers to correct alignment. A common issue.

Joe

[CraigS]

No real answer except to say that I needed shims on mine (long ago when doing a disc upgrade on my MkII) and have seen many posts about the need for shims.